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Repetition The Committee asks the Government to refer to the comments made under the Workmen’s Compensation (Accidents) Convention, 1925 (No. 17).
Repetition Referring to its direct request made under the Workmen’s Compensation (Accidents) Convention, 1925 (No. 17), the Committee asks the Government to supply additional information on the manner in which the procedure for recognition of occupational diseases operates, from the time of the medical diagnosis (Convention No. 18), and to clarify whether the pathologies listed in Appendix 1 to Decree No. 53/05 are presumed to be of occupational origin whenever the person concerned had worked in the industries and processes listed in the Schedule appended to the Convention. Please also indicate the manner in which the burden of proof applies to the recognition of occupational diseases.
Repetition The Committee notes the information communicated by the Government in response to its previous comments. It notes in particular the adoption of Act No. 7/04 of 15 October 2004 on social protection and Decree No. 53/05 of 15 August 2005 issuing legal provisions concerning industrial accidents and occupational diseases, and notes that these two texts have repealed those which governed industrial accidents and occupational diseases up until now. The Government is requested to provide, in its next report, further information on the manner in which compensation is provided for industrial accidents in the area of agriculture following the adoption of the new regulations mentioned above.
Repetition Article 2 of the Convention (in conjunction with Article 3). Protection of public servants and employees of the public administration against employment accidents. The Committee notes that, under the terms of section 2(a) of Decree No. 53/05, public servants and employees of the public administration are excluded from the scope of these regulations. Recalling that Article 2 of the Convention provides that it shall apply to persons employed by any establishment of whatsoever nature, whether public or private, the Committee requests the Government to indicate whether, as envisaged in Article 3 of the Convention, a special scheme which is not less favourable than those of the Convention is applicable to these categories of workers.Article 7. Additional compensation provided for victims of accidents requiring the constant help of another person. The Committee notes, as emphasized by the organization UNTA-Confederação sindical in its 2007 comments, which have remained without a response from the Government, that Decree No. 53/05 does not provide that additional compensation shall be provided to victims of accidents suffering incapacity which requires the constant help of another person, in accordance with this provision of the Convention. The Government is requested to indicate the manner in which national law guarantees that beneficiaries of employment accident benefits are provided with additional financial assistance when their condition requires the assistance of a third person.Article 8. Measures of supervision and methods of review of the level of compensation. The Committee notes that section 42 of Decree No. 53/05 provides that the amount of the annuities envisaged by Decree No. 53/05 shall be adjusted by the Employment Accident and Occupational Disease Pension Adjustment Fund (FUNDAP), which is to be established by ministerial decree. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the decree establishing the above Fund and to supply information on its activities including, for example, copies of the reports on its activities.Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes that, under the terms of section 47 of Decree No. 53/05, supervision of the application of the regulations respecting employment accidents is entrusted to the general labour inspectorate. It also notes the detailed statistical data provided by the Government and taken from the reports of the general labour inspectorate in relation to employment accidents for the years 2006 and 2007. These data show that the construction sector in 2006 and 2007 recorded a number of employment accidents that was higher, by 37.5 and 28 per cent, respectively, than the average for other economic sectors. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide a general assessment of the manner in which, particularly in the construction sector, the arrangements for the notification of employment accidents operate in practice, and on the sanctions applied in cases of violations of the regulations respecting employment accidents.
Repetition The Committee notes the information sent by the Government in response to its previous comments. It notes in particular the adoption of Act No. 7/04 of 15 October 2004 on social protection and Decree No. 53/05 of 15 August 2005 on the statutory occupational accidents and diseases scheme. It notes that these two texts repeal the ones that previously governed occupational accidents and diseases. The Government is invited to send further information on the following point.Article 1 of the Convention. Equality of treatment in the event of industrial accident. In reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest that under section 1(3) of Decree No. 53/05, foreign workers carrying on an occupational activity in Angola are ordinarily subject to the compulsory social protection system subject to the existence of special schemes established by law or international agreement. The old legislation did not lay down the principle that these workers are to be treated on a par with Angolan workers, but provided that they were subject to the social security system only in the instances established in the legislation. The Committee would be grateful if in its next report the Government would indicate whether there are special schemes or international agreements within the meaning of section 1(3) of Decree No. 53/05 under which the principle of equal treatment between national and foreign workers may be waived. In this respect, Article 1 of the Convention establishes equal treatment in compensation of industrial accidents between Angolans and nationals of a State that has ratified the Convention or their dependants, and provides that such treatment shall be guaranteed with no conditions as to residence and whether or not reciprocity agreements have been concluded.The Committee further notes that section 2(b) of Decree No. 53/05 provides, as did the regulations that applied previously, that foreign workers who are not resident in Angola are not subject to the requirement to join a compulsory social protection scheme provided they benefit abroad from a scheme for the compensation of industrial accidents and so demonstrate to the competent Angolan authorities. The Committee invites the Government to state whether, as Article 2 of the Convention requires, the workers concerned may be employed in Angola only temporarily or intermittently and by foreign employers. If this is the case, and in order to avoid all ambiguity, the Committee invites the Government to examine the possibility of amending the abovementioned provision of Decree No. 53/05, and to insert the provisions specified by the Convention. It would also be grateful if the Government would state whether any special agreements have been concluded with the countries of origin of these workers to facilitate arrangements for covering victims of industrial accidents who are in the position envisaged in section 2(b) of the abovementioned Decree.Please also provide, as required by Part V of the report form, information, including statistics, on the manner in which effect is given to the Convention in practice, specifying, for instance, the number and countries of origin of foreign workers employed in Angola, those among them who remain subject to industrial accident insurance in their countries of origin and the amounts of any payments made abroad to victims of industrial accidents whether nationals or persons from a country that is a party to the present Convention or their dependants.
The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the observations made in 2007 by the National Union of Angolan Workers (UNTA), identifying a number of shortcomings in national law and practice with respect to the Convention, are currently being considered by the ILO National Tripartite Commission which will shortly issue an opinion. The Committee hopes that, in its next report, the Government will supply detailed information with respect to the above comments as well as on the manner in which the new industrial accidents scheme established by Decree No. 53/05 of 15 August 2005 concerning industrial accidents and occupational diseases and Act No. 7/04 of 15 October 2004 concerning basic social protection, give effect to each of the provisions of the Convention.
[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2010.]
The Committee notes the information communicated by the Government in response to its previous comments. It notes in particular the adoption of Act No. 7/04 of 15 October 2004 on social protection and Decree No. 53/05 of 15 August 2005 issuing legal provisions concerning industrial accidents and occupational diseases, and notes that these two texts have repealed those which governed industrial accidents and occupational diseases up until now. The Government is requested to provide, in its next report, further information on the manner in which compensation is provided for industrial accidents in the area of agriculture following the adoption of the new regulations mentioned above.
The Committee notes the information sent by the Government in response to its previous comments. It notes in particular the adoption of Act No. 7/04 of 15 October 2004 on social protection and Decree No. 53/05 of 15 August 2005 on the statutory occupational accidents and diseases scheme. It notes that these two texts repeal the ones that previously governed occupational accidents and diseases. The Government is invited to send further information on the following point.
Article 1 of the Convention. Equality of treatment in the event of industrial accident. In reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest that under section 1(3) of Decree No. 53/05, foreign workers carrying on an occupational activity in Angola are ordinarily subject to the compulsory social protection system subject to the existence of special schemes established by law or international agreement. The old legislation did not lay down the principle that these workers are to be treated on a par with Angolan workers, but provided that they were subject to the social security system only in the instances established in the legislation. The Committee would be grateful if in its next report the Government would indicate whether there are special schemes or international agreements within the meaning of section 1(3) of Decree No. 53/05 under which the principle of equal treatment between national and foreign workers may be waived. In this respect, Article 1 of the Convention establishes equal treatment in compensation of industrial accidents between Angolans and nationals of a State that has ratified the Convention or their dependants, and provides that such treatment shall be guaranteed with no conditions as to residence and whether or not reciprocity agreements have been concluded.
The Committee further notes that section 2(b) of Decree No. 53/05 provides, as did the regulations that applied previously, that foreign workers who are not resident in Angola are not subject to the requirement to join a compulsory social protection scheme provided they benefit abroad from a scheme for the compensation of industrial accidents and so demonstrate to the competent Angolan authorities. The Committee invites the Government to state whether, as Article 2 of the Convention requires, the workers concerned may be employed in Angola only temporarily or intermittently and by foreign employers. If this is the case, and in order to avoid all ambiguity, the Committee invites the Government to examine the possibility of amending the abovementioned provision of Decree No. 53/05, and to insert the provisions specified by the Convention. It would also be grateful if the Government would state whether any special agreements have been concluded with the countries of origin of these workers to facilitate arrangements for covering victims of industrial accidents who are in the position envisaged in section 2(b) of the abovementioned Decree.
Please also provide, as required by Part V of the report form, information, including statistics, on the manner in which effect is given to the Convention in practice, specifying, for instance, the number and countries of origin of foreign workers employed in Angola, those among them who remain subject to industrial accident insurance in their countries of origin and the amounts of any payments made abroad to victims of industrial accidents whether nationals or persons from a country that is a party to the present Convention or their dependants.
The Committee notes the Government’s report referring to the adoption, during the period covered by the report, of Decree No. 53/05 of 15 August 2005 concerning industrial accidents and occupational diseases, which repeals the legislation previously governing workmen’s compensation. The Committee also notes the information supplied by the National Union of Angolan Workers (UNTA) referring to points with regard to which it alleges the national legislation is unable to give effect to the provisions of the Convention. Since the Government has not forwarded any reply made to the abovementioned allegations, the Committee invites it to do so without delay so that it can evaluate all the elements in the file at its next session, at which it will also have a translation of the new legislation governing workmen’s compensation.
[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2008.]
The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government and also the comments made by the National Union of Angolan Workers (UNTA) concerning the manner in which the national legislation gives effect to the Convention. It notes with satisfaction the adoption of Decree No. 53/05 of 15 August 2005 concerning industrial accidents and occupational diseases, the appendix to which contains the new schedule of occupational diseases recognized in the country. Under the terms of the latter, diseases provoked by chemicals such as lead, its alloys and compounds and mercury, its amalgams and compounds are considered of occupational origin, as required by the Convention. The Committee points out that contrary to the system that was previously in force, the new list of occupational diseases lists the pathologies which are recognized as being of occupational origin without linking them to a list of corresponding occupational activities. In this respect, section 6(2) of the new Decree considers a disease as occupational when it is linked to the occupational activities of workers who are habitually exposed to factors which provoke diseases and are present in the workplace or result from specified occupations or jobs. In this respect, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply in its next report further details on the manner in which the procedure for recognition of occupational diseases operates, from the time of the medical diagnosis. Please also clarify whether a person who is affected by one of the pathologies listed in Appendix 1 to Decree No. 53/05 is presumed to have a disease of occupational origin. Finally, the Government is requested to indicate the manner in which the burden of proof applies to the recognition of occupational diseases.
The Committee notes that the Government’s report contains no reply to previous comments. It hopes that the next report will include full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:
According to the information provided by the Government, the Council of Ministers has adopted a Decree respecting occupational diseases and industrial accidents and that a copy will be provided to the Office when it has been published in the Official Bulletin. The Committee hopes that this Decree will make it possible to give full effect to the provisions of the Convention, that it will be published in the very near future and that a copy will be provided forthwith.
With reference to its previous comments, the Committee once again wishes to draw the Government’s attention to the following points.
– Section 4 of Act No. 18/90 on the social security system applies to foreign workers in Angola in the cases covered by the legislation or international agreements. The Committee recalls that, in accordance with Article 1 of the Convention, equality of treatment in respect of compensation for industrial accidents has to be ensured between the nationals of a State which has ratified the Convention or their dependants and its own nationals without any condition of residence and irrespective of whether any reciprocity agreement has been concluded. It hopes that the Government will provide information in its next report on the application of this provision of the Convention.
– Under section 6(1) of Act No. 18/90, the obligation to be insured under the social security scheme does not apply to foreign nationals who are covered by the social security scheme of another country. The Committee recalls in this respect that, in order to be consistent with the Convention, measures to avoid coverage by more than one insurance scheme must not depend on the nationality of the persons insured. It hopes that the Government will provide information in its next report on the measures adopted to give full effect to the Convention on this point.
– The Committee also draws the Government’s attention to the possibility offered by Article 2 of the Convention, under the terms of which “special agreements may be made between the Members concerned to provide that compensation for industrial accidents happening to workers whilst temporarily or intermittently employed in the territory of one Member on behalf of an undertaking situated in the territory of another Member shall be governed by the laws or regulations of the latter Member”.
The Committee notes the information provided by the Government according to which the Council of Ministers has adopted a Decree respecting occupational diseases and industrial accidents and that a copy will be provided to the Office when it has been published in the Official Bulletin. It hopes that this Decree will make it possible to give full effect to the provisions of the Convention, that it will be published in the very near future and that a copy will be provided forthwith.
[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2006.]
With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes that the implementing regulations on compensation for occupational accidents and diseases provided for by section 58 of the Social Security System Act, No. 18/90, have not yet been adopted by the Council of Ministers. It hopes that these regulations will be adopted shortly and will enable full effect to be given to the provisions of the Convention. The Committee would like once again to draw the Government’s attention to the following points in this connection:
- Section 4 of Act No. 18/90 applies to foreign workers in Angola in the cases covered by the legislation or international agreements. The Committee once again points out that Article 1 of the Convention requires equal treatment in respect of accident compensation between nationals and foreign workers from a State that has ratified the Convention or their dependants, without any condition of residence and irrespective of whether any reciprocity agreement has been concluded.
- Under section 6(1) of Act No. 18/90, the obligation to be insured under the social security scheme established by the Act does not apply to foreigners who are covered by the social security scheme of another country. The Committee again points out that, in order to be consistent with the Convention, measures to avoid coverage by more than one insurance must not depend on the nationality of the persons insured. The Committee also draws the Government’s attention to the option afforded by Article 2 of the Convention: "Special agreements may be made between the members concerned to provide that compensation for industrial accidents happening to workers whilst temporarily or intermittently employed in the territory of one Member on behalf of an undertaking situated in the territory of another Member shall be governed by the laws or regulations of the latter Member."
[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2004.]
1. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its last report. It also notes the adoption of the new General Labour Act (No. 2/00), section 85(1)(b) of which requires employers to insure all their workers, apprentices and trainees against occupational accidents and diseases.
2. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes that the implementing regulations on compensation for occupational accidents and diseases provided for by section 58 of the Social Security System Act, No. 18/90, have not yet been adopted by the Council of Ministers. It hopes that these regulations will be adopted shortly and will enable full effect to be given to the provisions of the Convention. The Committee would like once again to draw the Government’s attention to the following points in this connection:
- Under section 6(1) of Act No. 18/90, the obligation to be insured under the social security scheme established by the Act does not apply to foreigners who are covered by the social security scheme of another country. The Committee again points out that, in order to be consistent with the Convention, measures to avoid coverage by more than one insurance must not depend on the nationality of the persons insured. The Committee also draws the Government’s attention to the option afforded by Article 2 of the Convention: "Special agreementsmay be made between the members concerned to provide that compensation for industrial accidents happening to workers whilst temporarily or intermittently employed in the territory of one Member on behalf of an undertaking situated in the territory of another Member shall be governed by the laws or regulations of the latter Member."
[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2003.]
With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes that, according to the information provided by the Government, the regulations respecting employment injury compensation, envisaged under section 58 of Act No. 18/90 on the social insurance system, have not yet been adopted, but that they have been submitted to the Council of Ministers for examination. It requests the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on any progress achieved in the adoption of the above regulations. It hopes that, in accordance with Article 1 of the Convention, these regulations will ensure that all agricultural wage-earners are covered by laws and regulations which provide for the compensation of workers for employment accidents, including non-permanent agricultural wage-earners, who are temporarily excluded from the social insurance system under section 85(1)(a) of Act No. 18/90. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the above regulations as soon as they have been adopted.
1. With reference to its observation, the Committee hopes that the draft regulations respecting compensation for employment injury, envisaged under section 58 of Act No. 18/90 on the social insurance system, will be adopted in the near future and that they will give full effect to the Convention. In this respect, it wishes to draw the Government's attention to the following points.
Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee recalls that, under this provision of the Convention, apprentices are entitled to compensation in the event of employment injury. In these conditions, the Committee hopes that the above regulations will also cover apprentices, who are not explicitly mentioned in section 4 of Act No. 18/90 on the social insurance system.
Article 2, paragraph 2(a). In reply to the Committee's previous comments, the Government indicates that Act No. 18/90 on the social insurance system is being progressively applied and that no workers are excluded from its scope. In these conditions, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would state in its next report whether the abovementioned Act No. 18/90 has been extended to casual workers. In this respect, the Committee recalls that only persons whose employment is of a casual nature and who are employed otherwise than for the purpose of the employer's trade or business may be excluded from the employment injury scheme. It hopes that the Government will be able to take into account the above comments in the adoption of the regulations respecting compensation for employment injury.
2. The Committee would also be grateful if the Government would provide fuller information in its next report on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice, and particularly statistical information, in accordance with Part V of the report form.
In reply to the Committee's previous comments, the Government indicates in its report that the draft regulations respecting employment injury, envisaged under section 58 of Act No. 18/90 on the social insurance system, have not yet been approved. In this respect, the Government states that, in accordance with section 7 of Resolution No. 12/81, until the regulations are adopted, Title III of the Labour Act of 1957 (Decree No. 2827) and the relevant sections of the Rural Labour Code of 1962 (Decree No. 44309) remain in force, despite the fact that these two Decrees were repealed by section 169 of the General Labour Act of 1981. Moreover, the provisions of section 141 of the General Labour Act, under which enterprises are obliged to insure their employees against employment injury, also remain in force.
The Committee notes this information. It hopes that the Government's next report will contain more detailed information on the progress achieved in the adoption of the regulations respecting employment injury, envisaged under section 58 of Act No. 18/90 on the social insurance system. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the above regulations as soon as they have been adopted. In this respect, the Committee reminds the Government that it may seek the technical assistance of the Office.
The Committee raises other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.
With reference to the Committee's previous comments, the Government states that the regulations respecting compensation for employment injury, envisaged under section 58 of Act No. 18/90 on the social insurance system, have not yet been adopted, but have been submitted to the Council of Ministers for this purpose. The Government confirms that until the above regulations are adopted the following legislation remains in force: section 141 of the General Labour Act, under which enterprises are required to insure their employees against employment injury; Title III of the Labour Code of 1957 (Decree No. 2827) and Chapter V of Title VII of the Rural Labour Code of 1962 (Decree No. 44309), despite the fact that these two Decrees were repealed by section 169 of the General Labour Act of 1981.
The Committee notes this information. In this respect, it reminds the Government that the schedules of occupational diseases contained in the 1957 Labour Code and the 1962 Rural Labour Code had been the subject of comments by the Committee in 1980, since certain activities liable to cause poisoning by lead, its alloys or compounds and by mercury, its amalgams and compounds were not mentioned. In these conditions, the Committee hopes that the Government will be able to take all the necessary measures to adopt in the near future the regulations respecting compensation for employment injury, envisaged under section 58 of Act No. 18/90. It also hopes that these regulations, in accordance with Article 1 of the Convention, will ensure that compensation is payable to the victims of occupational diseases and their dependents, in accordance with the general principles of the compensation of employment injury, and that they will include a schedule of occupational diseases which contains all the diseases and toxic substances and the corresponding industries and processes set out in the schedule annexed to Article 2 of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the progress achieved in this respect and to provide copies of the above regulations as soon as they have been adopted.
Article 1 of the Convention. With reference to previous comments, the Government states in its report that the regulations for Act No. 18/90 of 27 October 1990, respecting the social security system, have not yet been adopted. The Committee notes this information. It recalls that under section 4(1), Act No. 18/90 is applicable to foreign workers in Angola in the cases covered by the legislation or international agreements. The Committee once again points out that Article 1 requires equality of treatment for victims of industrial accidents or their dependants who are nationals of a State which has ratified the Convention, without any condition of residence and irrespective of the conclusion of any reciprocity agreement.
Article 2 of the Convention. In previous comments, the Committee has noted that under section 6 of Act No. 18/90, the obligation to be insured under the social security scheme established by the Act does not apply to foreigners who are covered by a social security scheme of another country. The Committee again recalls that any measures taken to avoid an accumulation of insurances, which appears to be the objective of section 6 of Act No. 18/90, are only compatible with the Convention when they are not linked to the nationality of the workers concerned. It reminds the Government of the possibility provided for under Article 2 of the Convention which specifies that a "special agreement may be made between the Members concerned to provide that compensation for industrial accidents happening to workers whilst temporarily or intermittently employed in the territory of one Member on behalf of an undertaking situated in the territory of another Member shall be governed by the laws and regulations of the latter Member".
The Committee recalls that section 58 of Act No. 18/90 provides for the adoption by the Council of Ministers of regulations concerning compensation for industrial accidents and occupational diseases. It once again expresses the hope that these regulations will be adopted soon and will contain provisions giving full effect to the Convention, particularly regarding the above-mentioned points.
With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes from the Government's report that the implementing regulations on compensation for industrial accidents and occupational diseases provided for in section 58 of the Act respecting the social security system, No. 18/90, have not yet been adopted. Referring to its observation under Convention No. 17, the Committee hopes that the Government's next report will contain full information on the progress made towards the adoption of the above-mentioned regulations. It also hopes that such regulations once adopted will give full effect to the Convention. Furthermore, since Article 1 of the Convention provides for the extension to all agricultural wage-earners of the laws and regulations which provide for the compensation of workers for personal injury by accident arising out of or in the course of their employment, the Committee hopes that the new regulations will also cover non-permanent agricultural workers who are excluded for a transitional period by section 85, paragraph 1(a) of Act No. 18/90. Please supply a copy of the above regulations as soon as they are adopted.
With reference to its observation, the Committee notes from the Government's report that the implementing regulations concerning compensation for industrial accidents and occupational diseases provided for in section 58 of the Act respecting the social security system, No. 18/90, have not yet been adopted. It also notes the Government's statement that the Committee's comments will be taken into account when the regulations are adopted. As the report does not contain any other information on the questions raised by the Committee in its previous request, the Committee wishes once again to draw the Government's attention to the following points:
1. Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee hopes that the regulations respecting the compensation of industrial accidents and occupational diseases provided for in section 58 of Act No. 18 of 27 October 1990 will also apply, in accordance with this provision of the Convention, to apprentices, in view of the fact that these are not referred to explicitly in section 4 of Act No. 18.
2. Article 2, paragraph 2(a). Section 85(1)(c) of Act No. 18 of 1990 temporarily excludes casual workers from its scope. The Committee hopes that the regulations respecting the compensation of industrial accidents which are to be adopted will limit this exclusion to persons whose employment is of a casual nature and who are employed otherwise than for the purpose of the employer's trade or business, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 2(a) of Article 2 of the Convention.
3. Article 10. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether, and by virtue of what provision, the prostheses referred to in section 23(1)(a) of Decree No. 16 of 9 August 1986 are provided free of charge to the victims of industrial accidents, in accordance with this Article of the Convention. Please also indicate whether, in what manner, and by virtue of which provision, artificial limbs and surgical appliances are renewed, in view of the fact that section 23 above only refers to the supply of prostheses.
4. Furthermore, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply detailed information on the implementation in practice of the national health system and on the development of its structures, in order to enable it to assess whether these respond to the needs of victims of industrial accidents in respect of medical aid, surgical and pharmaceutical aid, as well as artificial limbs and surgical appliances, in accordance with Articles 9 and 10 of the Convention.
With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes from the Government's report that the implementing regulations concerning the compensation for industrial accidents and occupational diseases provided for in section 58 of the Act respecting the social security system, No. 18/90, have not yet been approved and that, pending their adoption, the applicable legal provisions consist of section 141 of the General Labour Act of 1981, which requires all enterprises to insure their workers against industrial accidents and occupational diseases, and of the supplementing Resolution of the People's Assembly No. 12/81 of 7 November 1981. This Resolution provided that the compensation for occupational injuries would continue to be regulated by the system that was previously applicable, although the relevant legislation had been formally repealed and no new corresponding social security legislation had yet been adopted at that time. Taking into account the subsequent adoption of Act No. 18/90 mentioned above, the Committee asks the Government to indicate which provisions of the previous legislation still remain in force and to what extend they continue to ensure the payment of cash benefits to the victims of industrial accidents, in accordance with Articles 5 to 8 of the Convention. At the same time the Committee once again expresses the hope that the above-mentioned regulations concerning compensation for industrial accidents and occupational diseases provided for under section 58 of Act No. 18/90 will be adopted very shortly and that they will give full effect to the Convention. It requests the Government to indicate the progress made in this respect in its next report and to supply the text of these regulations when they have been adopted.
The Committee also draws the Government's attention to certain points that it is raising in a direct request.
With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes from the Government's report that the implementing regulations concerning compensation for industrial accidents and occupational diseases provided for in section 58 of the Act respecting the social security system, No. 18/90 of 27 October 1990, have not yet been approved and that, pending their adoption, the applicable legal provisions consist of section 141 of the General Labour Act of 1981, which requires all enterprises to insure their workers against industrial accidents and occupational diseases, and of the supplementing Resolution of the People's Assembly No. 12/81 of 7 November 1981. This Resolution provides that the compensation for occupational injuries will continue to be regulated by the system that was previously applicable, although the relevant legislation has been formally repealed and no new corresponding social security legislation has yet been adopted at that time. Taking into account the subsequent adoption of Act No. 18/90 mentioned above, the Committee asks the Government to indicate what provisions of the previous legislation still remain in force and to what extend they continue to give effect to the Convention.
In addition, the Committee recalls that, as it had already pointed out in 1980, the schedules of occupational diseases contained in the previously applicable legislation (the Angolan Labour Code of 1957 and the Rural Labour Code of 1962) failed to mention certain activities likely to cause poisoning by lead, its alloys or its compounds, and by mercury, its amalgams or its compounds, as required by Article 2 of the Convention. It also recalls that since that time the Government has been referring to a draft Decree on employment injury and occupational diseases, section 14 of which, according to the information supplied previously by the Government, contained a schedule of diseases in line with the Convention. This Decree has, however, not been adopted. In this situation, the Committee is bound once again to express the hope that the Government will take all the necessary measures to adopt in the very near future the above-mentioned regulations respecting compensation of industrial accidents and occupational diseases provided for in section 58 of Act No. 18/90. It also hopes that these regulations will provide, in accordance with Article 1 of the Convention, for compensation to workmen incapacitated by occupational diseases, or to their dependants, in accordance with the general principles relating to compensation for industrial accidents, and that it will also contain a schedule of occupational diseases, including all the diseases and processes that are liable to provoke them, as set out in the Schedule annexed to Article 2. It requests the Government to supply detailed information on the progress achieved in this respect and to supply the text of the above regulations when they have been adopted.
1. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information supplied by the Government concerning the application of Joint Executive Decree 2/79 of 9 April 1979.
2. The Committee notes with interest the adoption of Act No. 18/90 of 27 October 1991 respecting the social security system. It notes in particular that under section 4(1), the Act is applicable to foreign workers in Angola in the cases covered by the legislation or international agreements. It also notes that section 58 of the Act provides for the adoption by the Council of Ministers of a regulation under the Act concerning compensation for industrial accidents and occupational diseases. The Committee hopes that this regulation will be adopted in the near future and that it will provide, in accordance with Article 1 of the Convention, for equality of treatment to the victims of industrial accidents or their dependants who are nationals of a State which has ratified the Convention, without any condition of residence and irrespective of the conclusion of any reciprocity agreement. It is hoped that the Government will be able to indicate in its next report the progress achieved in this respect.
3. The Committee notes that under section 6 of Act No. 18/90, the obligation to be insured under the social security scheme established by the Act does not apply to foreigners who are covered by a social security scheme of another country. The Committee recalls in this respect that any measures taken to avoid an accumulation of insurances, which appears to be the objective of section 6 of Act No. 18/90, are only compatible with the Convention when they are not dependent on the nationality of the workers concerned. The Committee also draws the Government's attention to the possibility provided for under Article 2 of the Convention which specifies that "special agreement may be made between the members concerned to provide that compensation for industrial accidents happening to workers whilst temporarily or intermittently employed in the territory of one Member on behalf of an undertaking situated in the territory of another Member shall be governed by the laws and regulations of the latter Member". It therefore hopes that the regulation to be issued under the Act respecting compensation for industrial accidents will contain provisions giving full effect to the Convention on this point.
With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest Act No. 18/90, of 27 October 1990, respecting the social security system, section 58 of which provides for the adoption by the Council of Ministers of implementing regulations on compensation for industrial accidents and occupational diseases. It expresses the hope that the above-mentioned regulations will be adopted very shortly and that they will give full effect to the Convention. Furthermore, since Article 1 of the Convention provides for the extension to all agricultural wage-earners the laws and regulations which provide for the compensation of workers for personal injury by accident arising out of or in the course of their employment, the Committee hopes that the new regulations will also cover non-permanent agricultural workers who are excluded for a transitional period by section 85, paragraph 1(a) of Act No. 18/90. It asks the Government to provide detailed information on progress made in this respect and to communicate a copy of the above regulations as soon as they are adopted.
With reference to its observation, the Committee wishes to draw the Government's attention to and receive further information on the following points:
2. Article 2, paragraph 2 (a). Section 85(1)(c) of Act No. 18 of 1990 temporarily excludes casual workers from its scope. The Committee hopes that the regulations respecting the compensation of industrial accidents which are to be adopted will limit this exclusion to persons whose employment is of a casual nature and who are employed otherwise than for the purpose of the employer's trade or business, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 2(a) of Article 2 of the Convention.
With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest the adoption of the Act respecting the social security system, No. 18/90 of 27 October 1990, and the other legal texts supplied by the Government with its report. It notes in particular that section 58 of the above Act provides for the adoption by the Council of Ministers of implementing regulations respecting compensation for industrial accidents and occupational diseases; pending the publication of these regulations, the compensation of industrial injuries is vested with the National Insurance and Reinsurance Company (ENSA), under the terms of section 59 of the Act.
The Committee, however, notes that in the absence of such regulations and in view of the fact that the previous legislation (the Rural Labour Code of 1962 and the Angolan Labour Code of 1957) was formally repealed by section 169 of the General Labour Act of 1981, there would appear to be no specific legal provisions which currently provide for the payment of cash benefits to the victims of industrial accidents.
In these conditions, the Committee hopes that the implementing regulations concerning the compensation for industrial accidents and occupational diseases provided for in section 58 of Act No. 18/90 of 1990 will be adopted in the very near future in order to give full effect to the Convention, and in particular to Articles 6 to 8. It requests the Government to indicate the progress achieved in this respect in its next report and to supply the text of the above regulations when they have been adopted.
With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest the adoption of the Act respecting the social security system, No. 18/90 of 27 October 1990, and in particular that section 58 of the Act provides for the adoption by the Council of Ministers of regulations respecting the compensation of industrial accidents and occupational diseases.
The Committee, however notes that in the absence of these regulations and in view of the fact that the previous legislation (the Rural Labour Code of 1962 and the Angolan Labour Code of 1957) was formally repealed by section 169 of the General Labour Act of 1981, there appear to be no specific legal provisions that currently give effect to the Convention.
In these conditions, the Committee cannot but express the hope that the regulations respecting the compensation of industrial accidents and occupational diseases provided for in section 58 of Act No. 18/90 will be adopted in the very near future. It also hopes that these regulations will provide, in accordance with Article 1 of the Convention, for compensation to workmen incapacitated by occupational diseases, or to their dependants, in accordance with the general principles relating to compensation for industrial accidents, and that it will also contain a schedule of occupational diseases, including all the diseases and processes that are liable to provoke them, as set out in the Schedule annexed to Article 2. It requests the Government to supply detailed information on the progress achieved in this respect and to supply the text of the above regulations when they have been adopted.
The Committee understands that a new Social Security Act has been adopted. It would be grateful if the Government would communicate a copy of this Act with its next report as well as a copy of the implementing regulations concerning compensation for occupational injuries once they are adopted.
The Committee understands that a new Social Security Act has been adopted. It requests the Government to communicate a copy of this Act with its next report.
Furthermore, the Committee hopes that the implementing regulations for this Act in respect of compensation for occupational injuries will be adopted in the near future and that they will give full effect to the provisions of the Convention, in particular, Article 7 (additional compensation for cases where the victims of occupational accidents must have the constant help of another person) which has been the subject of previous comments. Finally, the Committee requests the Government to communicate the regulations of the National Insurance Company (ENSA) which still appears to be the institution responsible for matters concerning occupational hazards.
The Committee understands that a new Social Security Act has been adopted. It would be grateful if the Government would communicate a copy of this Act with its next report.
Furthermore, the Committee hopes that the draft implementing regulations to this Act concerning compensation for occupational injuries will be adopted in the near future and that they will contain, besides a list of occupational diseases, a corresponding list of all industries and processes in which such diseases might be provoked, in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention.
The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matter raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:
The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the draft Decree which was prepared to introduce a compulsory insurance scheme against occupational injuries, to which it referred in its previous report, has been adopted and, if so, to transmit the text of the Decree. It hopes that this Decree will contain provisions which correspond to those of the Convention, and in particular to Article 7 of the Convention, which has been the subject of previous comments.
The Committee also requests the Government to supply information on the effect given to the Convention in practice, and on the rules and operation of the National Insurance Company (ENSA) which, according to the Government's statements, continues at present to cover occupational injuries.
The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:
Article 2 of the Convention. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes from the Government's statement that the draft Decree on employment injury and occupational diseases - section 14 of which contains a schedule of diseases which takes into account those listed in the Schedule of the Convention - has been submitted for adoption to the People's Assembly, but has not yet been adopted. The Committee therefore hopes that this Decree will be adopted in the near future and that it will contain, in addition to diseases and toxic substances, a list of the corresponding industries and processes, as is the case in Article 2 of the Convention.
The Committee once again requests the Government to transmit the text of the above Decree when it has been adopted.
The Committee notes that there is a draft Decree on industrial accidents and occupational diseases which will bring the legislation up to date in this respect. The Committee requests the Government to transmit a copy as soon as it is adopted.
Article 1 of the Convention. 1. The Committee takes note of the new legislative texts supplied by the Government in its report (Act 6/86 of 24 March 1986 respecting the status of foreign resident workers and Act 7/86 respecting the conditions of employment of co-operative workers) which provide that these workers are covered by the occupational risks protection scheme (sections 13 and 17, respectively).
2. The Committee notes that Joint Executive Decree 2/79 of 9 April 1979, section 6 of which provided for the provision of benefits at the location indicated by foreign workers, is no longer in force. It requests the Government to indicate the measures that have been taken or are envisaged to give effect to this provision of the Convention under the terms of which equality of treatment should be guaranteed to foreign workers and their dependants without any condition as to residence.
Article 2. The Committee notes the agreements concluded with Cape Verde in 1980 and Portugal in 1979 and 1980. It requests the Government to supply information on any agreement concluded under this provision of the Convention and to supply copies of it
Point V of the report form. The Committee notes that the Government has no information available on the practical application of the Convention which, however, according to the Government does not raise any particular problems. Nevertheless, it requests the Government to supply in future any statistics that are available in accordance with this point of the report form.